Railway truck



. D. S. BARROWS Dec. 17,

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Feb 23. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 23. 1928 4 sheets-sheet 2 gnodntoz Hana/J .5.' gaf/"ams attenua# Dee. 17; 1929. D. s. BARRows RAILWAY TRUCK med Feb. '25. 192s 4 sheets-sheet a Dec; 17, 1929. D, s, BARRQWS 1,740,143

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Feb. 23. 1928 4 Sheets-snee; 4

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Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES DONALD s. BARRows, or Rocnsrnn, NEW YORK,v

RAILWAY TRUCK' Application led February 23, 1928. lSerial yNilo. 256,332.

This invention relates to railway trucks and more particularly to the construction of the side frames, bolster and associated parts whereby lateral motion is permitted between ,5 the bolster and side frames as well as, if desired, rocking between the bolster and side frames in vertical longitudinal planes.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the improvement in car trucks for increasing the iexibility thereof by permitting lateral motion of thebolster as well as angling between the side frames and bolster in longitudinal vertical planes -whereby such trucks have the desired flexibility for accommodating themselves to inequalities and curves in the track and for relieving the members thereof from sudden and unduey strains, thereby increasing the life of such trucks. A

An object of my invention is the provision of railway trucks formed with side frames having bolster openings receiving springs and spring caps, said spring caps having pockets in the spaces immediately adjacent and between the bolster guide columns, said pockets being provided with depressed rocker bearings, rockers operating in said pockets and supported on said bearings and a bolster supported lon said rockers for lateralmovement with respect to said frames, said rockers being preferably so designed that the bolster raises upon movement outwardly on the rockers and is retained at `a substantially constant elevation when -moved inwardly.

u Another object of my invention is the provision of railway trucks formed with side frames having bolster openings' receiving springs and spring caps, said spring caps being desirably formed as a spring supported portion curved `or crowned on its upper surface and a rocker supporting portion, said 'latter portion being designed to rock in a vertical longitudinal plane on the spring supported portion and formed with. depressed pockets carrying segmental rockers, and a `bolster carried on said rockers for lateral motion with respect to said frames, said bolster being preferably formed with pockets railway truck particularly showing the into receive the upper ends of said rockers and provided with means interlocking with said rockers whereby the proper relative positions of the parts are maintained.

A further object of my invention is to provide a railway truck formed with side frames having tension and compression members, bolster guide columns connecting the intermediate portions of said tension and compression members, springs supported by said side frames between said guide columns, spring caps supported on said springs,'said spring caps being formed withbearings for lateral motion rockers, rockers resting on said bearings, said rockers being' generally triangular and placed point down in said springy caps in order that the spring cap load shall remain substantially on the center line of the spring group, the upper portions of said rockers presenting a curved rocking surface Jfor sup! porting an associated bolster, said bolster being formed with upwardly inset bearings and interlocking lugs engaging said rockers for preventing slippage'therebetween, said rockers being formed to raise the bolster when moved outwardly and maintain said bolster at the same elevation when moved inwardly whereby said bolster is self-centered.

A still further object ot' my invention is to provide an integral side frame formed with a bolster opening, springs supported in said opening, a spring cap on said springs, lateralpmotion rockers supported by means of said spring cap and a bolster resting on saidrockers, said bolsterspring cap and rockers therebetween being supported in the frame so that angling with respect to (said trame in a vertical longitudinal plane is also permitted thereby providing iiexibility longitudinally as well as transversely of said frame. 1

Other objects and Aadvantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement Aand construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds. v

Referringl to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims,-

Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of a Vtermediate portions ofthe compression and tension members of a side frame, the connecting bolster guide columns, the end of the bolster and the associated connecting parts.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the frame shown in Figure 1, the associated bolster and spring cap being shown in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing the spring cap in transverse section and omitting the lower portion of the frame.

Figure 4 is a plan of the spring cap shown partly in horizontal section with the rockers thereof shown in horizontal section.

Figure 5 is afragmentary view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing a modification.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the bolster and spring cap illustrated in Figure 5 shown partially in section on the line 6 6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a half plan of the spi-ing cap shown in Figure 6, with a rocker in place.

Figure l8 is a fragmentary side elevation of avtruck, said view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing a further modification.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view of the construction shown in,Figure 8, the associated bolster and spring cap being shown in side elevation.

Figure 10 is a plan of the spring cap shown in Figure 9.`

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and iirst considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, there is shown a portion of a truck comprising a side frame 1 formed with a compression member 2, a tension member 3 and bolsterl guide columns 4 spacing intermediate portions thereof and spaced to leave a window opening 5 therebetween. In the present embodiment, the side frame illustrated is ofthetype described and claimed in my Patent Number 1,652,868 of December 13, 1927, on a'car truck, but it is obvious that I do not wish to be limited to the embodiment'of this invention with such a type of frame, the showing being preferred but not limiting.

As more fully described in my prior patent, the side frame 1 involves auxiliary tension members 6 which cut across the lower corners of the window or` bolster opening 5 and form upwardly extending convolutions lis less than that of the spring supporting portion of the tension member and preferably corresponds with the diameter of one of the bolster springs 9 as shown in Figure 2. The auxiliary tension members also preferably terminate by merging with the spring supporting portion of the tension member short of the center thereof whereby a central flat spring supporting area is left for the central spring unit 10 of the nst of springs. Upon referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that a preferred spring grouping involves seven spring units arranged as two rows of three spring units disposed on either side of the auxiliary tension member 6 and a single spring unit disposed between said rows and between the central springs of said rows, giving a nest of springs substantially H-shape in plan, the auxiliary tension members 6 fitting between the ends of the uprights of said H, whereby the horizontal or spring supporting area of the tension member is eiiiciently utilized for the purpose. Alternative spring arrangements may be employed, if desired, some of which are disclosed in my Patent Number 1,652,808, referred to.

Spring plates 1l and 12 constructed as disclosed in said patent may be employed, although I do not wish to be limited to suchdetails. Resting on the tops of the springs or top spring plate 12, if used, is a spring cap 13 which in the present embodiment is articulated or formed-as two parts, a lower part 14 which rests directly on the springs or upper spring plate and an upper part 15 which rests on the lower part 14 and is arranged to rock thereon in a vertical longitudinal plane.

The lower spring cap portion 14 is preferably ada ted to serve for interlocking the associated olster 16 with respect to the frame and for that purpose is preferably'provided with outwardly extending ianges 17 and 18 embracing the adjacent or bolster guiding portions of the columns 4 and adapted for vertical movement with respect thereto while interlocking the cap against longitudinal and transverse movements.

The rear or inner flanges 18 are preferably reduced in height in order to facilitate insertion of the spring cap in the widened lower portion of the bolster opening above the auxiliary tension members 6. The column enaging flanges 17 and 18 are preferably Joined gy a web 19, which web is continued around the front end of the upper portionof .the spring cap and associated bolster, reduced in height so as not to interfere with the bolster, and continued around the rear or inner end of saidupper portion 15 of the spring cap. .For strengthening the construction, the front and rear portions of the web 19 are rigidilied with respect to the lower or spring engaging y web 20 of the spring cap portion 14 by means depending flange 22 extendino' over and embracing the upperends of the olster springs 9 to assist in maintaining them in proper position. The upper surface of thegweb 20 between the parts vof the web 19 is preferably 15 is provided with upwardly opening de-v pressed pocketportions 24 which fit in c orresponding apertures 25 in the lower spring cap portion land-.provide depressed bearing portions for receiving lateral motion rockers 26. In the present embodiment the lower walls of the pockets 24 are flat and the lower surfaces of the rockers 26 are curved laterally of the frame, said curvature, however, being greater inwardly of the truck than outwardly thereof for a purpose to `be more fully explained hereinafter.- The upper ends of the rockers 26 are preferably formed in a similar but reverse manner, that is, the curvature outwardly of the frame is greater than the curvature inwardly thereof andthe associ ated bolster 16 is preferably provided with a downwardly opening pocket 27, the upper wall of which forms a rocker bearing which is preferably iiat and horizontal.

In order to maintain the desired relation between the bolster 16 and the rockers 26, as

well as to make it impossible to put the rockers in upside down, the upper end of each rocker is preferablylformed with a tooth or lug 28 engaging in acorresponding'pocket 29 in the bolster. A corresponding interlocking arrangement may be provided between the lower ends ofthe rockers and the upper spring cap portion 15 but inasmuch as said rockers are fairly closely received in the depressed pocket portions thereof, such is not considered necessary in the present instance.

v In order, however, to prevent the misapplication of the rockers 26 in the pockets 24 an intermediate portion of each rocker is pref- .erably narrowed or cut away as indicated at 30 to provi-de pockets for interlocking with corresf'.;1 i ding bosses 31' on the sides of the pockets'f`24. On account of this construction it will be obvious that said rockers can only be applied in the pockets24 inthe proper manner, as reversal thereof about a vertlcal axis is impossible due to the interlocking between the pockets 30 and the bosses 31 and reversal about a horizontal axis is impossible because of the interlocking between the tooth 28 and the pocket 29.

The lower web 23 of the portion 15 of the spring cap is preferably provided with an upstanding peripheral flange 32 which exltends around the sides and front thereof but is omitted at the rear to provi-de for the reception of the associated o bolster 16. The side portions of the ange 32 lie closely adjacent the corresponding portions of the web 19 as well as the corresponding sides of the bolster and in order to permit the vertical angling between the parts of the spring cap, the ad] acent or inner surfaces of the web 19 are preferably correspondingly crowned or curved as illustrated to provide the proper clearance for rocking. The bolster is preferably of such length that the front or outer portion of the flange 32 serves as a limit stop therefor and it will be apparent that. on account of the difference' in curvature between.

the outer and inner portions of the rockers 26 the end of the bolster is raised when moved outwardly to a greater extent than when movedinwardly. If, as is preferred, the portions ofthe rockers of greater curvature are concentric and the center of curvature of the remaining upper portion is belowl the center of curvature of the remaining lower portion, then' the bolster will be raised when moved outwardly and maintained at the same elevation upon inward movement. A

preferred construction of the rockers provides for raising of the bolster ML inch upon outward lateral movement of 1 inch while the bolster is not raised or lowered upon inward movement thereof.

Referring now to the modification of my ,invention illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 a side frame 1a is there disclosed which is formed with a compression member 2a, bolster guide columns 4a and a tension member, not shown, defining a window opening 5a therebetween as in the previous embodiment. Although the frame is only fragmentarily illustrated, it will be understood that it may be, and preferably is, identical with the frame of the first' embodiment and the bolster springs9a and 10 are supported in the same manner.

Resting on the springs 9a and 10a or the upper spring plate 12a, if used, isa spring cap 13a formed with outstanding flanges 17a and 18a which embrace the adjacent portions of 'the guide columns and hold the cap in proper relation with .respect to the frame-while permitting up `and down movement thereof with variation in the load on the supported bolster'16a. In the present embodiment the spring cap is formed as a single casting ratherv than two castings with provision for rocking therebetween, said casting involving a lower web or wall 20a, provided with a depending peripheral flange 22 which extends over and embraces the upper ends of the springs 9a and serves to hold them in proper assembled relation.

The lower web 208L of thefspring cap, which trated, to facilitate cleaning, the lower walls' of which form bearings for the lower ends of associated rockers 26". The outer walls 19 of said pockets form the connecting web between the flanges 17a and'18" and are continued around the front or outer portion of the casting at reduced height as a de ending peripheral flange 22*1 previously re erred to and around the back in the same-manner except that the depth, in the present embodiment, is slightly greater. As in the previous embodiment, the spring cap is provided with an upstanding web or flange 32El serving as an auxiliary bolster limit stop, said bolster being additionally provided with inner guiding lugs 33 adaptedgto engage the inner sides of the bolster guide columns upon maximum outward movement thereof. As in the previous embodiment the limiting flange 32a is braced with respectl to the web 22a by means of triangular gussets 21".

The rockers 26 in the'present embodiment are of somewhat different character from those in the first embodiment in that they are relatively larger or taller and are substantially triangular in side elevation, the small, pointed or rounded end 34 extending downwardly into the corresponding bearing pocket 24" and adapted to swivel therein in a vertic'al transverse plane or, if desired, rocking therein as in the previous embodiment. In order to prevent misapplication of the rockers 26a in the bearing pockets 24" one side of the lower end 34 is narrowed or cut away as indicated at 30a in order to fit between corresponding bosses l31a on the inside of the pocket. As in the previous embodiment the bolster is provided with downwardly opening pockets 2 7a for receiving the upper or flaring ends ofthe rockers 26'?, the inner walls of said pockets being formed with teeth or bossesv .28u interlocking in corresponding l*notches 29a in the sides ofthe rockers 26a. As in the previous embodiment the curved upper sides of the rockers 26"L are preferably so designed that the bolster is raised slightly upon outward movement thereof and maintained at the same elevation upon inward movement of said rockers.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, a construction is there disclosed in which a lateral motion bolster *embodying my invention is combined with a side frame having carrier rings journaled therein'for limited rotation in, a vertical longitudinal plane. A frame of this character is disclosed in Patent Number 1,594,576 to H. D. Taylor, entitled Car truck, dated August 3, 1926.

The side4 frame 1" is only diagrammatically illustrated and in lieu of a bolster opening of conventional character between a compression member 2", a tension member 3" and guide columns 4", said parts define a circular bolster opening 5". Mounted or journalled in said circular opening is a carrier ring 35 adapted to have limited swiveling motion in a vertical lon itudinal plane with respect to said frame. `aid carrier ring 35 may be locked against removal after application in any desired manner as by means of keys 36 engaging notched ed es of said carrier ring and held in place ietween spaced portions of the bolster guide columns 4" by means of bolts or the like 37. The lower portion of the carrier ring 35 is formed with a segmental portion 38, the upper surface of which is fiat and adapted to support the associated spring plank 7".

Resting on said spring plank or associated spring plate 11" are bolster springs 9", said springs in the present embodiment forming a five-unit nest of springs, the inner and outer rows of which dene spaces separated by the central spring unit 10" which serve for permitting the use of a spring cap 13" resting on said springs or an upper spring plate 12" with depressed rocker receiving pockets 24" as in the first embodiment. TheA sides of the carrier ring 35 are formed with vertical segmental portions 39 which function as bolster guiding portions and are engaged by outwardly extending flanges 17" and 18" asin the first embodiment, said flanges being joined by webs 19" which serve as outer or end walls of the rocker receiving pockets 24" in the spring ca 13".

As in t e previous embodiment the spring cap 13" is preferably formed with depending peripheral flanges 22" which embrace the upper ends of the springs 9" and tend to hold them in proper pos1tion. For strengthening the construction of the spring cap 13" the upper web 20" is preferably ribbed as illustrated l like the previous embodiment. -For interlocking the bolster with respect to the spring cap 13" for limiting the movement therebetween,

said bolster is preferably notched as indicated at 40 to receive the flanges 17" and 18" and the connecting web 19".

The provision for lateral motion between the bolster and spring cap may correspond with that of .the'first embodiment except that the spring cap is formed in one piece as in the second embodiment with no provision for angling in a vertical longitudinal plane, such provision being obviously unnecessary on account of the provision for such angling of the carrier ring 35 with respect to the frame 1". That is, the lower walls of the pockets 24" are referably flat and rockers 26" corresponding 1n shape with the rockers 26 of the first emeoA bodiment are received therein and operate in a similar manner', both with respect to the v spring cap and the associated bolster 16". The

upper surface of the end of the bolster is preferably curved to correspond with the curvature of the carrier ring 35 to facilitate insertion and removal while at' the same time eiliciently providing for adequate depth..

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised a truck in which provision is made for transverse movement of the bolster about rockers held in supporting spring caps, and, if desired, provision may also be made for angling between the bolster and associated side frames in vertical longitudinal planes.

Although one end only of the bolster and its associated side frame and parts are illustrated, it will be obvious that the other end of the bolster and the other side of the frame is correspondingly formed The lateral motion rockers are preferably rheld in depressed pockets, space being economized by providing said pockets immediately over auxiliary inclined tension portions of the frame where such a frame is used or between laterally spaced springs. In order to make the bolster self-centering, as well as to secure desirable results with respect to movement of the center of gravity of the associated car body, the rockers are preferably designed to raise the end of the bolster which moves outwardly and retain the other end at substantially the same elevation. In one form of the invention there is disclosed how to provide that the load from the bolster shall remain substantially on the center line of the spring group, such a result being obviously desirable so as to stress the bolster springs uniformly.

Although lateral motion devices of a specific character have been disclosed in the preferred embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to such a showing, as other lateral motion devices besides rockers, for example, rollers, may be employed within the spirit and scope of my invention, while still accomplishing some of the objects thereof.

Having now described my invention, claim:

1. A railway truck having side frames formed with compression and tension members, each frame having bolster guide columns connecting intermediate portions of said members, bolster springs disposed between said columns, a spring cap formed with pockets spaced by one of said springs and disposed immediately adjacent and between said columns, rockers in said pockets, and a bolster supported on said rockers and adapted to move laterally thereon.

2. A railway truck having side frames formed with compression and tension members, bolster guide columns connecting intermediate portions of said members, bolster.

springs disposed between said columns, a

said pockets, and a bolster supported on said rockers and adapted to move laterally thereon.

3. A railway truck having side frames formed with compression and tension members, bolster guide columns connecting intermediate portions of said members, bolster springs 'disposed between said columns, a spring cap formed with pockets adjacent and between said columns, said spring capl bein mounted to angle in a vertical longitudina plane, rockers in said pockets, and a bolster supported on said rocker and adapted to move laterally thereon.

4. In a railway truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to' leave a window opening, that portion of the frame adjacent the junctions between the bolster guide columns 4and tension member being reinforced by auxiliary diagonal tension members which cut across thelower corners of the window bolster guide -columnsinterposed therebetween and spaced to leave a Cwindow opening, the construction adjacent the junctions between the bolster guide columns and tension member being reinforced by auxiliary diagonal tension members which =cut across I the lower corners of the window opening,

bolster springs supported onv the tension member on either side of and between said auxiliary members, a spring cap resting on said springs and formed as two parts adapted to angle in a vertical plane with respect to each other, said spring cap being formed with pockets disposed over said auxiliary tension members, rockers insaid pockets and a bolster supported on said rockers for lateral movement thereon.

6. In a railway truck in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, the tension member between the bolster guide columns being laterally .widened for supporting bolster ing portion ofthe tension member which cut across the lower corners of the window opening and restrict the horizontal area of the spring supporting portion of the tension member, bolster springs supported on said horizontal spring supporting portion of the tension member on either side of and be tween said auxiliary tension members, a spring cap supported on said bolster springs and provided with depressed rocker receiving pockets immediately over the auxiliary tension portions, whereb they do not interfere with the bolster springs, rockers in said pockets, and -a bolster provided with u per rocker bearings supported on said roc ers for lateral movement with respect to said frame.

7. A railway truck having side frames each formed with a window opening, bolster springs disposed in said window opening, a spring cap interlocked with the frame at each side of the opening, formed with spaced pocketed portions immediately adjacent said sides as well as means limiting lateral movement of the bolster, rockers in said pockets, and a bolster supported on said rockers and adapted to move laterally thereon.

8. A railway `truck having side frames each formed with a window opening, bolster springs disposed in said opening, a spring cap comprising a lower member formed with apertures immediately adjacent the sides of said window o ening, an upper member supported on sai lower member and adapted to rock longitudinally thereon, said upper meinberhaving depending pocketed portions fitting in said apertures, rockers in said pocketed portions, and a bolster supported on said rockers and adapted to move laterally thereon.

9. A railway truck having side frames each formed with a window opening, a spring planl: and bolster springs disposed in said opening, a spring cap mounted to angle in a vertical longitudinal plane with respect to said frame and formed with pockets depending below the tops of the springs adjacent the sides of said opening, lateral motion devices in said pockets, and a bolster supported thereon.

10. In a railway truck, a side frame formed with a window opening, said frame being reinforced by auxiliary diagonal tension members whichfcut across the lower corners of the window opening and are narrower than the adjacent portions of the frame, bolster springs disposed to embrace saidV auxiliary members, a spring cap resting on said springs and formed with upwardly opemng pockets depressed over said auxiliary tension ladapted to angle in a vertical plane with re- Aspect to each other, said spring cap being formed with pockets disposed over said auxiliary tension members, lateral motion devices in said pockets and a bolster supported thereon.

12. In a railway truck in combination, a side frame formed with a window opening, the frame beneath the window opening being` laterally widened for supporting bolster springs, the ends of said widened portion being reinforced by auxiliary diagonal tension members, of less width than said spring supporting portion, which cut across the lower corners of the window opening and restrict the horizontal area of the spring supporting portion, bolster springs supported on said horizontal spring supporting portion to embrace said auxiliary tension members, a spring cap supported on saidbolster springs and provided with depressed rocker receiving pockets immediately over the auxiliary tension portions, whereby they do not inter.

fere with the bolster springs, lateral motion devices in said pockets, and a bolster provided with upper bearings supported on said devices.

'13. A railway truck having side frames formed with compression and tension members, bolster guide columns connecting intermediate portions of said members, bolster springs supported by means of said tension member between said columns with at least one of said springs alined with said columns, a spring cap formed with a depressed pocket between said columns in space left by said alined spring, a rocker in said pocket, and a bolster supported on said rocker and adapted to move laterally thereon.

14. A railway truck having side frames each formed with a window opening, bolster springs disposed in said window opening, a spring cap interlocked with the frame at each side of the opening and formed with spaced pocketed portions immediately adjacent said sides, lateral motion devices in said pockets, and a bolster supported on said devices and adapted to move laterally thereon, said devices being so constructed that the bolster is raised at the end which is moved outwardly A, bers, bolster guide columns connecting'intermediate lportions of said members, bolster springs disposed between said columns and?y supported by means of said tension member, a spring cap supported on'said springs between said columns and formed' with apocket alined with said columns and at least vone of said springs, a lateral motion device in said pocket, and a bolster supported on said device said lateral motion device being so constructed that the bolster is self-centering.

16. A railway truck having side frames formed with compression and tension members, bolster 'guide columns connecting intermediate portions of said members, bolster springs disposed between said columns, a spring cap formed with spaced pocketed portions between said columns, rocker means in said pocketed portions, and a bolster supported on said rocker and adapted to move laterally thereon. v

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

